A dramatic rescue 300ft above New York harbour took place on the Statue of Liberty today, after a paraglider crashed into its famous torch.

The man was left hanging for 45 minutes by the ropes attaching him to the parachute, which was caught on the gold-plated torch of the New York landmark.

Shocked tourists watched as the man, with a motorised propeller attached to his back, pulled himself almost 20ft to safety.

He was then pulled by park rangers and police on to the balcony surrounding the torch.

His bright pink parachute was left hanging on the statue for another 10 minutes after his rescue.

After the rescue he was handcuffed and taken into custody.

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